Paisley Book Festival to celebrate town's musical history

Home to superstar singer Paolo Nutini and Baker Street legend Gerry Rafferty, Paisley was once the heart of Scotland's punk scene and even witnessed the country's first rock 'n' roll riot.

Now, chapters of the town's rich life and culture will be shared with audiences during the Paisley Book Festival this weekend.

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The Paisley Music Trail: Paolo, Punk and the Poet Weaver will highlight the town's significant influence on performers and fans alike.

Paisley is home to various music legends including Baker Street's Gerry Rafferty (Image: Supplied) The event is set to capture the festival's theme, The Lives We Live, which runs from April 25 to April 27.

Organisers OneRen have collaborated with Glasgow Music City Tours to stage two 90-minute tours on Saturday and Sunday, exploring Paisley's historic town centre.

The tours will focus on the town's vibrant venues, including the Bungalow Bar and the Attic Folk Club, as well as its musically-inspired public art and the writer known as Scotland's 'poet weaver'.

The team behind the event has conducted extensive research, delving into newspaper archives, online forums, and local memories.

Jess Orr, associate programmer at Paisley Book Festival, said: "Music and song is part of the story of so many lives - and Paisley has always been a town of stories, whether told through poetry, music or the mills of its industrial past.

"All of this has helped shape the community we know today.

"We’re delighted to partner with Glasgow Music City Tours and share some of that by bringing the trail festival.

"It’s a brilliant way to experience the town through a different lens."

Jess Orr, associate programmer at Paisley Book Festival (Image: Supplied) Glasgow Music City Tours, which is celebrating its 10th year, is now making its way west before launching its own book in June.

Titled Glasgow’s Greatest Hits, it is due to cover notable gigs and locations as well as highlighting that Glasgow's ban on punk led to the rise of Paisley as a punk hub.

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Fiona Shepherd, co-founder of Glasgow Music City Tours, said: "We’re thrilled to be bringing the Paisley Music Trail to life for the Paisley Book Festival.

"As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it feels fitting to head to a town with such a rich musical heritage.

"This tour isn’t just about big names, it’s about the stories behind the music: the poet-weavers, and the punk nights.

"We’ve dug deep into local archives, spoken with the community, and crafted a trail that celebrates Paisley’s unique place in Scotland’s musical history."

More details about the event can be found on the Paisley Book Festival website.